Free mobile service FreedomPop to launch in the UK this summer

Yet another MVNO will be launching in the UK this year, but this one aims to do things a little differently. FreedomPop, a US-based network provider that offers free minutes, texts, and data to its customers, will be bringing its services to the UK this summer. Once again it's Three that will be hosting the MVNO, although a second network will reportedly be joining the venture and announced in the near future.

While there are plans to sell handsets via its online store, FreedomPop will begin its UK service with sim-only packages which will offer 200 mins, 200 texts, and 200MB data per months for free. FreedomPop customers will also be able to contact each other at no cost at all. Profits will come from charges going beyond the free basic package, as well as services that will roll previous allowance onto the next month, and a 'Jetsetter' free-roaming sim for international travelers.

Unlike other MVNOs where they buy their network coverage from a provider and sell it on at little-to-no profit, FreedomPop only buys data and uses all of its services through that. Reports suggest that 51% of its US customers don't pay anything at all, with the remainder covering the costs of the cheaper data services. At this time, we don't know how much the additional charges will be, but it will be interesting to see if it can be truly competitive in the UK market. For more information, as well as to check their coverage map, head over to the Freedom Pop website.